Celiac disease is an autoimmune disease that causes a reaction to gluten. It often involves inflammation of the intestinal lining, bloating and diarrhea. It can also prevent the proper absorption of nutrients into the body. If your doctor suspects you have celiac disease, they can recommend that you get an endoscopy. There are a variety of conditions that can be diagnosed via an endoscopy. Endoscopies can help your physician diagnose your celiac disease with certainty. This is a good first step toward recovery and alleviating your symptoms.
When can an endoscopy be helpful for those with celiac disease?
- To confirm a diagnosis — Your physician may recommend an endoscopy to help diagnose your celiac disease. Getting a visual of the state of your condition can help confirm your physician’s diagnosis of your health. A diagnosis confirmed by an endoscopy helps patients better understand their condition and ultimately receive the appropriate treatment for their specific diagnosis.
- To check for blockages in the digestive tract — It can also be useful to undergo an endoscopy to see if there are any blockages in your digestive system. Blockages in the small intestine might include gas or stool, and can make passing a bowel movement difficult or painful. Identifying these types and causes of a blockage can help celiac disease sufferers understand how to prevent painful blockages in the future.
- To look for damage to the lining of your small intestine — If your physician has already diagnosed you with celiac disease, they may suggest an endoscopy to check for internal damage in your small intestines. Research shows that gluten can damage the villi in the lining of the small intestine, which causes nutrient malabsorption. For those with celiac disease, finding out if this damage is present can help patients work toward correcting the damage for proper nutrient absorption.
Celiac disease can be extremely disruptive to everyday life. According to research, an estimated 1% of the U.S. population struggles with celiac disease. If you’re someone who is struggling with this autoimmune disorder, an endoscopy could be the right choice for you.
Don’t hesitate to reach out to the Digestive Health Institute with any further questions!
If you’re still wondering what else an endoscopy entails, are looking for more information on celiac disease or have other digestive questions, please don’t wait to reach out to one of our team members for help. At the Digestive Health Institute, we want to help those with celiac disease and other common GI conditions achieve their digestive health goals.
Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.